My float tube, flippers, and pump. |
So I bought a float tube (a.k.a a belly boat) a few weeks
ago and I was hoping to use it in a few farm ponds that I have attempted to fish
in the past. These ponds are surrounded
by trees and are in pretty remote areas. You have to hike through some corn and soybean
fields to reach them and there is just no way for me to get my small two man
boat where the ponds are located or through the timber that fortifies them. I needed a way to hike to the water, get away
from the shore, and throw some flies towards the shore and structure near the
bank. Now to most people, this entire
plan seems a little…extreme. I can
understand how someone would think, “Is it worth all the trouble to fish a few
farm ponds?” The answer is an emphatic
YES!
There are three ponds that I have attempted to fish from the
edges which have met mixed results. In
one pond, I have hooked five bass in a morning that went five pounds each. I also lost a six pounder there last
spring. In another pond, there are only
two spots I can fish from and I consistently catch fish from those spots all
the time but only on spinning tackle. In
pond number three, I only fished there twice.
I have had bites and even seen fish but cannot hook them because trees
keep me from making good casts or making strong hook sets. I was also told by the landowner (and
whenever I hear someone say this, my heart skips a beat), “Oh yeah, I put fish
in there years ago but nobody has fished it in years.”
Flippers and pump. |
My curiosity and imagination had gotten the best of me so I
devised a plan. I had a little left over
Christmas money and decided to invest it in a float tube, flippers, and a
pump. At the time, it seemed like the
perfect plan at the time, and maybe it still is. A float tube will allow me to get away from
the banks in a stealthy way, not that I probably need to be stealthy because
most of these fish have never seen a human or fishing lure in their lives. A tube will also allow me to fish all the
spots from the right angles and with a fly rod.
When the trees have me pinned down on all sides, the only casts I can
usually make are with spinning gear and are to the middle of the pond…where the
fish are not located. Finally, I can
pack the tube in a small suitcase and carry it long distances while still
managing all the necessary fishing equipment.
Sounds like a good plan right?
Well, here is where my plan has hit a snag. First of all, with all the rain we had this
spring the ponds were incredibly high and the hikes to the ponds would have
been like wading through a mud volleyball tournament. On top of that, I have plenty of other
obligations in my life and I go fishing when I can…not whenever I want. Most of the times I wanted to go, it was
either raining or was too muddy. Then there
is the biggest obstacle that lies ahead of me.
I’m flat out scared of this thing. Granted, most of the fear comes from the
simple fact that I have never used a float tube before. New things are scary and intimidating to me and
add my fear of failure to the equation and you can realize why I have never put
this thing on the water. I’m also scared
because nobody has ever shown me how to use one of these things. None of my buddies own float tubes therefore
I have never had someone take me out on the water and say, “Do this, but don’t
do that.” Yes, I know there are internet
web pages devoted to this style of fishing, but I can’t carry my tablet to the
edge of the water and have some YouTube video walk me through the process. And the next thing might sound strange, but
it’s a big hiccup for me and that is wearing waders out in the water.
I have no problems wading trout streams or wearing waders around
the edges of farm ponds. I do have a
problem with what might happen if I fall off the boat and my waders fill with
water. I also have a problem with what
might happen if I make a lousy cast (which I still do quite often), hook my
boat, and I start to sink while wearing waders.
I know I would probably be fine but the initial fear is keeping me
grounded. My other thought is that I
could just wear some swim trunks but then I see a couple of problems with
that. For one, my flippers are made to
fit over large boots like the ones you find on waders so that would make
getting around rather difficult. The other
problem is that I’m not really sure that I want to be in swimming in these farm
ponds for a long period of time. I can’t
quite put my finger on exactly why, but I think I might have some unresolved childhood
issues around farm ponds (most of them revolve around water snakes and what I
have seen snapping turtles bite through).
On the bright side, I would stay cool that’s for sure.
My device of danger. It looks about as intimidating as a litter of puppies from this angle. |
So here I am, a guy with a float tube that is too scared to
use it. I feel stupid and childish for
feeling the way I do, but I guess I am still working out how to get over the
whole thing. There have been many nights
where I think, “Alright, this I the night that I get all geared up like I am
going to fish out of the boat and go through a little dry run.” That pun was totally intended and has been
planned out for days. You’re
welcome. But then I forget about the
practice session, or start tying flies, or go fishing instead.
So that’s the end of the story for now. There will be a conclusion to this story and
it WILL end in me overcoming my fears and getting on the water. I’m not sure if it will include a cameo
appearance of a six pound bass, but hopefully I will catch something.
I recommend having one of your fishing buddies act as lookout/ lifeguard...or witness should things get really bad.
ReplyDeleteGreat call and thanks for being a spotter last night when I took the tube out for the first time. I will mention you a better light than Mr. Huelesbusch in my post on Friday.
DeleteI recommend not being a wiener
ReplyDeleteThat's great advice buddy. Thanks. I think I will include you in my post on Friday with a witty retort.
DeleteAnd just so everyone knows, we have been friends for years. I wouldn't be a jerk to someone I don't know...just my friends.
Thanks for explaining that to your 10s of fans.
ReplyDeleteThey deserve to know!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I have scheduled an appointment at the burn unit in anxious anticipation of witty retort.
ReplyDelete